Radically initiated polymerization of a methacryloylamido-terminated saccharide .2. Copolymerization with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate

Kinetics of radically initiated copolymerization of 6-deoxy-6-methacryloylamido-D-glucopyranose (MAG) with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was investigated at 60 degrees C in water using 4,4'-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) as initiator. Reactivity ratios of the binary system were determined to be r(HEMA) = 3.50 and r(MAG) = 0.60, indicating a strong copolymerization drift as polymerization proceeds. Copolymers with homogeneous composition were prepared using a simple and easy method based on the knowledge of the consumption rate of each monomer. These copolymers were then characterized with regard to composition (by H-1 NMR) and physicochemical properties in aqueous media (using SEC with MALLS and refractometry detection and viscosimetric measurements).